Getting up off my butt and outdoors!

I turn 34 next month and am 5'9'' with a weight of 210#. I have decided I lead a much to sedentary life style and it is unhealthy, it also sets a bad example for my two young sons 10 and 6. My hobby for some years has been drinking beer and wrenching on mustangs in my garage LOL. Last Mustang has been gone a while now and I am selling off all my spare mustang stuff. That money is going to get reinvested in camping gear and other outside type stuff to get out and doing something. I am not sure anyone cares but I felt like venting for some reason.

By the way I am looking for a decent tent for a family of four any suggestions?

 

good job! keep at it!

Look at any Eureka tents. Those are good. Marmot and Coleman are good tents as well. If you are just going car camping (not backpacking), any tent from bass pro/cabelas is good.

Oh yeah... if you want some good deals. check out REI.com, Backcountry.com, and moosejaw.com. They have a good selection on camping/outdoors stuff.

 

I love the outdoors and think its great you want to get out with your family. There are all sorts of things to do that do not cost a lot of $$$. Geocaching is fun especially with kids. I wish you the best on your new journey.

 

Stay strong .. lose weight .. and feel good!!

I feel inspired! I'm going to do the same!

Good luck bro.
Cheers.

 

Like said above, Take up Geocaching. Only cost is buying a GPS and buying gas getting to the trail head. It takes you places you would never go. There are really neat/cool places 5 mins from my house that I had never even heard of. And geocaching took me there. Little things like hidden waterfalls, caves, small parks, interesting buildings, things like that. Plus it ranges in difficulty from 1 to 5. 1 being a 5 yr old can do it. 5 being you might need water/tent/backpack to finish it.

 

Good for you! I've got close friends that I wish would do the same. I try to motivate them without being an ass about it. If not for yourself, then for your kids. They watch you more than you think and will pick up on the most subtle habits. I've got three kids...taking the two older (5 & 8) camping next weekend. They've been talking about it non-stop for the last month.

 

I have been wanting to do this. Just never really found the time between school and stuff. Might have to start now that I have a little more freedom.

 

Love love love outdoors! What you get depends what you're looking to do. I go backpacking, so I have a small 2-man. If you're car camping and don't care about weight, any old wally-world tent that gets good reviews should do.

If you're serious about taking up hiking, though (as in planning to hike 2, 4, 6+ miles on the weekend or whenever), I highly recommend a good pair of mid-height waterproof boots with a good pair of socks. I'm eyeing these vasques for my next pair: http://www.vasque.com/vasque-shoe/7166-vasque/7166-vasque-mens-wasatch-gtx-moss-brown

Good boots + a good pair of hiking wool socks and some liners keep your feet dry even when you go in streams below your ankle, keep your ankles from rolling, keep your feet well-arched, etc. Totally worth it 100% and the pair will last for several hundred miles.

 

^ x2.

Also get a decent camera that can take a beating. The pictures are so worth it.

And always always always tell people where you're going, when you expect to be back and leave a note in your car with an arrow pointing in the direction you headed just in case. (SAR tip)

Always pack far more food and water than you need and bring a decent sized knife or Leatherman and a decent first aid kit.



One of my favorite pictures from hiking.

 

That's awesome. Take a good look at your diet. Lay off the lager and soda and replace it with water and tea. Some good web searching will find you some inexpensive healthy information ideas.

 

For Eureka tents, check out their website too. They have an outlet center that can have some pretty good deals on their tents:
http://www.eurekacampingctr.com/eureka/

e.g. They have a Copper Canyon 1610 B-class for $171.99 when it retails for $379.90 (sleeps 6) (B class are returns/refurbished)
http://www.eurekacampingctr.com/eureka/dept.asp?s_id=0&dept_name=COPPER+CANYON&dept_id=3137

Tetragon B class: Reg $160, on sale for $78 (sleeps 4-5)
http://www.eurekacampingctr.com/eureka/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_name=TETRAGON+9%2A+B+2009&pf_id=PAAAAAJPNCBGEADE&dept_id=3089

Condo A Class: Reg $909 on sale for $615 (sleeps 12) Only A Class tent (Factory Seconds)
http://www.eurekacampingctr.com/eureka/dept.asp?s_id=0&dept_name=CONDO&dept_id=3154

 

x2 to all of these. Though I don't leave a note in my car at all, I make sure I check in with the ranger station, let them know where I am going and how far, times, etc. I also let friends a family know and leave a map with my route highlighted as well.
I usually pack 1-2 days extra food when I backpack depending on how long the trip is. I have only had to utilize the extra day once due to weather (river rose above the bridge we had to cross)

List of what is in my first aid/when shit hits the fan kit.
first aid essentials (band aids, gauze, antiseptic, sting reliever, bandage tape, tylonol, excedrin, vicodin)
leatherman
survival knife (has the gadgets on it for a sling shot, sharpening stone, etc.)
poncho
shoe laces
whistle
waterproof matches/fire stick
small bag of dry wood
zip ties

these are just the main pieces I pack on my backpacking trips. I obviously have my tent, sleeping pad and all that jazz in my backpack as well.

Thanks for posting that! I forgot they had that site.